The wait for Stoke City's first win of the season goes on. Gary Rowett's Potters were hailed as pre-season title favourites, supposed certainties to win back their place in the Premier League at the first attempt.

Well so far it hasn't worked out that way. Defeat at Leeds and a stuttering draw at home to Brentford, combined with what many fans see as some underwhelming business in the transfer market, has already got people asking questions about Stoke's prospects.

This time they fought back for a 2-2 draw at Preston, with goals from Erik Pieters and Peter Crouch.

We will bring you all the latest Stoke City news, transfer talk plus all the action from Deepdale. We would also like to hear from you, so please send us your views via our Stoke City Facebook and Twitter accounts.

90 second verdict

Peter Crouch scored his 200th senior goal in equalising at Preston, so did he mean it?

He tells Sky TV: “Yeh, I knew what I was doing. I was just trying to get something on it to get it towards goal. It was a frustrating game again. We’ve had a bit of a wake-up call the last few games, and again today. But thankfully we showed a bit more character this time and got a result out of it.

“I believe I can make a bit contribution, whether it be from the bench or starting games. Obviously the biggest impact is scoring a goal. It doesn’t always go that way, but as long as I’m involved and still enjoying it I’ll go for as long as I can.

“I still think there are a lot of areas where we can improve. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We are falling points behind and we can’t afford to do that, so we’ve got to start winning games..”

Fans' verdicts

Fighting display...

Character and guts... that’s Sky’s description of the Stoke display at Deepdale.

19:27KEY EVENT

FULL-TIME: Preston 2 Stoke 2

Stoke fans are clapping a hard-fought draw.

Preston were probably worth their half-time lead but didn’t really threaten in the second half.

Peter Crouch came off the bench to secure a point and that was probably a fair result. Stoke didn’t particularly mount that much pressure for a winner.

19:25Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

Erik Pieters wins a tackle but concedes a corner to Preston. Mame Diouf wins the header but it goes straight back to Robinson and North End stay on the attack until Ryan Ledson whips a shot wide.

19:23Peter Smith

YELLOW CARD

Peter Crouch in the book and that’s probably for dissent. He’s pulled up for a mysterious foul off the ball as Stoke are on the counter attack through Ince. It didn’t look like the ref saw it but the decision was made when the fans shouted.

19:22Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

We’re into five added minutes.

19:19Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

The attendance is 13,996, with 3,076 in the away end.

19:19Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

It’s a corner to Preston and they’re the ones with momentum.

Ben Davies heads over.

19:18Peter Smith

YELLOW CARD

Ryan Shawcross goes in the book for shutting the door on Louis Moult. The Stoke skipper was nowhere near the ball... but to be honest, neither was his old Stoke team-mate.

19:15Peter Smith

SUBSTITUTION

Benik Afobe is replaced by Peter Etebo.

19:15Peter Smith

YELLOW CARD AND SUBSTITUTION

Paul Gallagher is finally in the book for a cynical foul, just before he is replaced by Ryan Ledson.

19:14Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

Link-up play from Afobe and Ince and Stoke win a corner. Allen comes over to take it...

It spins towards Crouch but Preston intercept and clear... and they’re on the counter-attack... but then Stoke counter.

It would be no surprise if there was a late goal here.

19:11Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

Preston are just starting to get their tails up again and Louis Moult is sniffing around the penalty box.

Stoke are looking to get the ball up quick to Afobe and Crouch whenever they get it.

19:09Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

Preston defenders and fans are panicked by Peter Crouch, if Stoke can just work the ball into the area...

Bojan, Peter Etebo and Moritz Bauer are warming up down the touchline. Gary Rowett has one more sub to play with.

Erik Pieters is receiving treatment at the moment but it looks like he’ll be fine. He’s getting a slow hand clap from the home fans.

19:05Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

We’re heading into the last 15 minutes and hearts are in mouths as Ashley Williams misjudges a header and Preston work the ball for Paul Gallagher to try his luck from 25 yards. It’s a grasscutter, spinning past Jack Butland’s right post.

Would you take a point right now?

18:58Peter Smith

SUBSTITUTIONS

Louis Moult is on for Preston, replacing Lukas Nmecha.

Graham Burke is replaced by Tom Barkhuizen.

18:58Peter Smith

Preston 2 Stoke 2

Stoke are cranking up the pressure and Crouch heads just over from inside the six-yard box... but the flag was up.

Stoke fans are singing his name: Everywhere we go, Peter Crouch will score...

18:56Peter Smith

YELLOW CARD

With these subs on now Stoke have to go for the win. It all means they’re pretty open at the back and anything could happen.

Ben Pearson goes in the book for chopping down Tom Ince on the counter attack.